Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Fatigability in People with Cancer-Related Fatigue.

Introduction: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating symptom that affects around one-third of people for months or years after cancer treatment. In a recent study, we found that people with posttreatment CRF have greater neuromuscular fatigability. The aim of this secondary analysis was to examine the etiology of neuromuscular fatigability in people with posttreatment CRF.

Attention to principles of exercise training: an updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials in cancers other than breast and prostate.

Background: The primary objective of this systematic review was to update our previous review on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise in cancers other than breast or prostate, evaluating: 1) the application of principles of exercise training within the exercise prescription; 2) reporting of the exercise prescription components (i.e., frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT)); and 3) reporting of participant adherence to FITT.

Physiological and psychosocial correlates of cancer-related fatigue.

Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and distressing symptom of cancer that may persist for years following treatment completion. However, little is known about the pathophysiology of CRF. Using a comprehensive group of gold-standard physiological and psychosocial assessments, this study aimed to identify correlates of CRF in a heterogenous group of cancer survivors.

Characterizing Sex Differences in Physical Frailty Phenotypes in Heart Failure.

Background: Although women with heart failure (HF) are potentially more likely to be physically frail compared with men with HF, the underlying contributors to this sex difference are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize sex differences in physical frailty phenotypes in HF.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled adults with class I-IV HF.

Attention to the Principles of Exercise Training in Exercise Studies of Persons With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review.

The authors systematically reviewed and summarized exercise trials in persons with lung cancer on (a) attention to the principles of exercise training (specificity, progression, overload, initial values, reversibility, and diminishing returns); (b) methodological reporting of FITT (frequency, intensity, time, and type) components; and (c) reporting on participant adherence to prescribed FITT. Randomized controlled trials of exercise that reported on ≥1 physical fitness, physical function, or body composition outcome in persons with lung cancer were included. Of 20 trial arms, none incorporated all principles of exercise training.

The Relationship between Fatigue and Actigraphy-Derived Sleep and Rest-Activity Patterns in Cancer Survivors.

Cancer-related fatigue can continue long after curative cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep and rest-activity cycles in fatigued and non-fatigued cancer survivors. We hypothesized that sleep and rest-activity cycles would be more disturbed in people experiencing clinically-relevant fatigue, and that objective measures of sleep would be associated with the severity of fatigue in cancer survivors.

Feasibility and potential benefits of partner-supported yoga on psychosocial and physical function among lung cancer patients.

Objective: Patients with lung cancer experience significant declines in psychosocial and physical function during and after treatment that impact quality of life (QOL) and survival. Yoga is a potential strategy to mitigate functional decline among patients with lung cancer.

Methods: A single group 12-week pilot trial of low-moderate intensity yoga among patients with stage I-IV lung cancer and their partners (n = 46; 23 patient-partner dyads) during cancer treatment from two hospital systems.

An Evidence-Based Walking Program in Oregon Communities: Step It Up! Survivors.

Physical activity can help mitigate the long-term symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment, but most cancer survivors are not active enough to achieve these benefits. An evidence-based strategy to promote physical activity among adults is a community group-based walking program. However, many evidence-based programs do not achieve intended population health outcomes because of the challenges of real-world implementation.

A brief whole-body vibration intervention to avoid weight gain in college students: A randomized controlled pilot trial.

Over one-third of college students are overweight or obese and rates are rising. Whole body vibration (WBV) training could prevent weight gain but has not been tested in college students. Randomized controlled trial comparing thrice weekly WBV for 6 months to controls (CON) in undergraduate students.

Trajectories of Self-reported Physical Functioning and Symptoms in Lung Cancer Survivors.

Background: Lung cancer survivors are at risk of accelerated declines in physical functioning attributed to cancer treatment. However, it is unknown whether patients experience the same rate of functional decline and how symptoms may contribute to different trajectories.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to identify interindividual differences in the pattern and rate of change in self-reported functioning in lung cancer survivors and examine whether and how symptoms are related to physical functioning over time.

Attention to the principles of exercise training in exercise studies on prostate cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Background: The purpose of this review is to update previously published reviews on exercise programming in exercise trials in prostate cancer survivors. We evaluated: 1) the application of the principles of exercise training in prescribed programs; 2) the reporting of the components of the exercise prescription; and 3) the reporting of adherence of participants to the prescribed programs.

Methods: Building upon a previous review, a systematic review was conducted searching OVID Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases from 2012-2017.

Postural sway, falls, and self-reported neuropathy in aging female cancer survivors.

Background: Falls are a major public health concern in older adults, and the proportion of older adults that has been diagnosed with cancer is growing. Yet, while falls, peripheral neuropathy, and postural instability are more common in aging cancer survivors, it is unclear how these factors interact.

Research Question: Our objective was to examine how components of sway related to self-reported neuropathy and falls.

Patient-reported and objectively measured physical function in older breast cancer survivors and cancer-free controls.

Objectives: Older breast cancer survivors (BCS) consistently report more functional limitations than women without cancer, but whether or not these differences remain when using objective measures of physical functioning and the correlates of these measures is unknown.

Methods: Cross-sectional study comparing older (≥60 years old) BCS (n = 84) to similarly aged women without cancer (n = 40). Patient-reported physical function was assessed by the SF-36 physical function (SF-36PF) subscale and the Late Life Function & Disability Instrument (LLFDI).

Enhancing an oncologist's recommendation to exercise to manage fatigue levels in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Fatigue is a troublesome symptom for breast cancer patients, which might be mitigated with exercise. Cancer patients often prefer their oncologist recommend an exercise program, yet a recommendation alone may not be enough to change behavior. Our study determined whether adding an exercise DVD to an oncologist's recommendation to exercise led to better outcomes than a recommendation alone.

An Innovative Ergometer to Measure Neuromuscular Fatigue Immediately after Cycling.

Purpose: When assessing neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) from dynamic exercise using large muscle mass (e.g., cycling), most studies have delayed measurement for 1 to 3 min after task failure.

Exercise, sleep and cancer-related fatigue: Are they related?

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a commonly reported and debilitating side effect of cancer and/or cancer treatment. Sleep disorders are also highly reported in the cancer population; however it is unknown if sleep is associated with fatigue. In the general population, exercise has been shown to improve sleep, however in the cancer population this idea is under investigation.